Royal African Society. Email: [email protected], CONFLICTS AFRICAN MARRAIGES FACE IN WESTERN CULTURE, CONFLICTS AFRICAN MARRIAGES FACE IN WESTERN CULTURE. African wedding traditions Africa, with its many nations and tribes, is very rich in different wedding traditions. So, modern couples are usually raised in traditional society, but with a lot of influences from modern, often western, education, television, radio, and so on. The list of issues that defy a conclusive reasoning is non exhaustive especially within the context of the same sex marriage debate and they include - the socio-cultural and psychological disconnect that children are exposed to when their parents are gay or transgender, the ever evolving definition of a family unit, the inadequacy of the laws available to take care but largely vague in interpretation, who raises the children in a same sex marriage setting among others. Women in Africa: Tradition and Change. I also knew that all cultures had similar rules of engagement when it came to marriage practices. Same sex marriages are happening everywhere around the world and it has received a significant boost in numbers since the landmark ruling given in Obergefell v. Hodges which made it legal in the 50 states across the United States of America. south african law commission project 90 the harmonisation of the common law and the indigenous law report on customary marriages august 1998 When being married in the United states the man proposes or whatever the case is in the relationship, but in the Igbos relationship it is the family that plays part in the proposal. In traditional African society, marriage between close relatives is not allowed. This is a result of their own independent beliefs and traditions which causes them to go about their own unique ritual, although there are few similarities between the two countries., To the Igbo people of West Africa marriage is essential in life. Africans should evolve reforms that promote our culture and reduce stress and cost that appears to debar most young people from entering into the institution. Both African-American husbands and wives in this study held more traditional views than white couples; Latinos were found to be no more or less traditional than whites. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For African women activists, and womens organisations, these threats are magnified. In a traditional family the parents contracted the marriage. Life is sacred and the institution of marriage makes family life enjoyable when couples negotiate safe sex for the good of their relationships and society at large. 3 (3), 14 35. Journal of Nigerian Association for the Study of Religions (NASR), Icheke Journal of the Faculty of Humanities, UCLA Ufahamu: A Journal of African Studies, Oracle of Wisdom Journal of Philosophy and Public Affairs, African Studies Quarterly, Vol. Family, Gender Roles, and Marriage in the Ancient Near East and the Greco-Roman World, BiAS Series, Joachim Kuegler, Rosinah Gabaitse, Blessing Nyahuma, Mark S Aidoo, Mavis Muguti, Menard Musendekwa, daniel nii aboagye aryeh, PhD, Kudzai Biri, Francis Machingura, Josiah Ucheawaji, Journal of Nigerian Association for the Study of Religions (NASR), Making Tradition: A Historical Perspective on Gender in Namibia, Putting them in their place:respectable and unrespectable women in Zimbabwean gender struggles, VIOLATION AND ABUSE OF WOMENS HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE CUSTOMARY PRACTICE OF KUZVARIRA" AMONG THE NDAU PEOPLE OF MOZAMBIQUE, ALook AT THE STRUGGLE OF ZIMBABWEAN MARRIED WOMEN REGARDING SAFE SEX, Sex Work as a test case for African feminism, Harmonise Zimbabwe's marriage laws before changing marriage certificates, 'Let them come to me!' These cultural values are laws, customs, and forms of behavior, regulations, rules, observances and taboos. In The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia (1867), Samuel Baker documents a steady slave trade from Abyssinia and Sudan to Egypt and the harbour towns of the Red Sea coast. Before this ceremony, the couple get acquainted with each other and agreed to marry. The ultraviolet light that lit the tiny box of a room made her underwear and heavy lipstick glow in an eerie, supernatural but definitely eye-catching way. Whether the bride and groom fall in love or someone makes the match, meeting involves It takes faith that requires belief in miracle to pledge ones life to another. Woman-to-woman marriage involves the following persons: 1) the female husband . In fact the survival of the family and the future of marriage depended a by J. Kgler / R. Gabaitse / J. Stiebert), Marriage and family life in Zimbabwean culture. Marriage plays significant roles in the Igbo status system for the individuals and their family and relatives. The different forms of marriage included musengabere, kuzvarira, kutema ugariri, kuganha, kutizisa or kutizira, chimutsamapfiwa, kugara or kugarwa nhaka, matengana gudo and kukumbira, among others. Despite this manifestation, marriage has been very often exposed to incidences of violence. Woman-to-woman marriage involves the following persons: 1) the female husband herself; 2) if the female husband is already married, her own husband (the female husband's husband); 3) the woman who is married by the female husband - the wife; and 4) the lover (s) of the wife who may father her children. African traditional marriage requires parent's consent and blessings. Enquires are instituted by both families concerning the behavior, character and most times religion of the families as well as marital status. TRADITIONAL ETHICS AND THE MAINTENANCE OF SOCIAL It is an end or goal and its desirability can be taken for granted unconsciously. In modern times, the influence of the family over marriage has eroded, but many institutions of Shona marriage customs endure. African marriage traditions and customs pdf Some may take wedding traditions for granted, but the road to becoming newlyweds is one that's filled with poignant symbolism for many African American families. Its no surprised therefore that wedding is usually conducted after the couple had performed their traditional rites. I would like to mention just a few, which in my opinion are relevant to this topic. This is to show how crucial it is! The parents and close relations are duly intimated as required by the custom. This article looks at Shona cultural and spiritual beliefs that promote masculinity and considers the negative impacts on the sexuality of women and, in turn, the ongoing HIV and AIDS pandemic. Black Feminist Criticism and Drama: Thoughts on Double Patriarchy, Western Education's Impact on Northern Igbo Gender Roles in Nsukka, Nigeria, 1. The institution of marriage1, the backbone of society, appears to be under threat. 2 pages, 557 words. So unhappy is the woman who fails to get children. On the other hand, payment of the bride price and bride items demonstrates the mans capacity to plant a family unit in the community as well as coming of age. However, the paper focuses on GBV against women. Throughout the continent, the diversity of systems reflects the traditions, religions, and economic circumstances of a wide variety of distinct cultures. Its important to put records right especially as most African rich traditions are branded demonic. Get ideas to incorporate into yours. moving away from patriarchal . He is a prolific writer and columnist for Christian Herald, Christian Faith Trumpet and Christian Mirror. In April 1862 he visited a slave market in Gallabat on what today is the border between Sudan and Ethiopia, where he saw a large number of 'lovely captives . It gives women in customary law marriages the same status and protection as women in civil . the Background of Totemism. "West Africa family systems were severely repressed throughout the New World (Guttmann, 1976)". The Igbos wedding traditions might be different from the United States wedding traditions, but some of their traditions should take and put them into our wedding traditions., Marriage is a personal accomplishment for me. An Election Year Guide to Mitt Romneys Religion, Woman in Islam by Dr. Sherif Abdel Azeem, Ph.D. Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Girls' experiences of religious and cultural practices: Human rights violations, Macho Masculinity: A Snare in the Context of HIV among the Manyika of Zimbabwe, (Re)producing an elite. Marriage takes many forms in Africa. Usually they bring kola nuts and palm wine to feast on. The following discussion of cohabitation and mar-riage reflects some of the biases in the literature . Hopefully by representing marriages to God, there would be a fresh touch of God on relationships and the Holy Spirit shall put together the pieces, making them whole. These three ceremonies involve fortune and time. She is given the task to find her groom in a crowd of guests while she greets them. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. A man in South Africa may have more than one spouse but a South African woman may only have one spouse. With a rich and diverse culture African culture is known to change from county to county, many cultures along with traditions are found in Africa which makes Africa diverse, unique and mesmerizing in many ways to the world. The wedding tradition came along with colonization and the inception of Christianity in Africa. To maintain some family identity, parents named their children after themselves or other relatives or sometimes gave them African names., It is said that the Africa culture stands out more than any other culture In the World. Filed Under: Essays Tagged With: Family. Among the Igbo marriage serves many different purposes other than unity between individuals and social status. The research will argue for and against same sex marriage but will touch on the salient fact that it is a movement that will come to be accepted over a period of time and get the needed attention it deserve but will ultimately attempt to address emerging trends in the same sex marriage debate. This paper is comprised of a literature review and an annotated bibliography of past and current empirical and theoretical scholarship and policy analysis concerning the de jure and de facto rules and norms of inheritance practices in African societies, particularly with regard to physical assets, and their effects on the intergenerational This paper examines union patterns of young women (aged 15-29) in more than two dozen countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with the objective of documenting and analyzing the extent and nature of the. In practice, same sex marriage is argued from the viewpoint of being a human rights issue but this project work will try to sieve through the raging controversy which has greeted this debate from both moral, political and even from proponents of the traditional family institutions. This is neither biblical nor African custom but an aftermath of religion, colonization and perhaps misapplication of the scripture. Second, the continued Eurocentric descriptions and characterization of the African traditional family as some what depraved lead to the use of such terms as bride price, avoidance social taboos, segregated relationships, lack of love and tenderness in African marriages and families. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. Most Africans underwent three marriage rites before they could have their wives. It is foundational. History Of Marriage Customs In Africa Second, the continued Eurocentric descriptions and characterization of the African traditional family as some what depraved lead to the use of such terms as bride price, avoidance social taboos, segregated relationships, lack of love and tenderness in African marriages and families. Weefree Ministries - Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others so they can come to know Him and receive Him as personal Savior, go on to experience Him as Lord of their life, and go even further to know Christ as the essence of their Life, The place of traditional marriage in African culture. There are also other factors, such as, industrialisation, migration, inculturation, globalisation, information technology which have played a role in the changes of the African cultures. Even though seminars, programmes, conferences, electronic and print media have made people aware of HIV and AIDS, the cultural barriers supported by traditional African religions and Christian religious beliefs have taken women hostage, making them vulnerable to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), HIV and AIDS. A clan is made up of a family who either are related by blood and marriage. So unhappy is the woman who fails to get children. (1977: 113) Marriage in the traditional patriarchal society of Africa is performed with great importance and dignity. In this presentation, the traditional African marriage is examined in relation to the involvement of family and community for sustenance from the perspective of Ama Ata Aido'sAnowa.Marriage in this context is a union which brings a man and a woman together for companionship and procreation. Africa culture is all about the ethnic groups family traditions, the literature, art and music shows the religion along with the social paths of their culture. In some communities, the dead are buried with their belonging e.g. Ochieng, E. (2019). African culture and traditions are handed down from generation to generation. This has undoubtedly undermined the institution of marriage. Cambridge-Africa Programme. Changes in family structures reflect the enduring tensions between traditional, Christian/religious and modern values and structures. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. This paper is from Masculinities under Neoliberalism, edited by Andrea Cornwall, Frank G. Karioris & Nancy Lindisfarne, pp 165-182. , these threats are magnified by blood and marriage, marriage has eroded, many. Email: weefreeministries @ yahoo.com, CONFLICTS African MARRIAGES FACE in WESTERN CULTURE, CONFLICTS African MARRAIGES in. Africa is performed with great importance and dignity family the parents and close relations are duly as! This is neither biblical nor African custom but an aftermath of religion colonization. Women in civil especially as most African rich traditions are handed down from generation to generation consent and.! Right especially as most African rich traditions are handed down from generation generation! Incidences of violence in traditional African society, appears to be under threat, the couple had their... 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